Synthesis and Evaluation of Some C14MC-MCNR2 Copolymers and C14MC-MA-MCNR2 Terpolymers as Cold Flow Improvers in the Diesel Fuels

Abstract

In order to find efficient cold flow improvers for diesel fuels, a series of copolymers (C14MC-MCNR₂) derivated from long chain alkyl (i.e., tetradecyl) methacrylate C14MC and methacrylamide (MCNR₂) were prepared, and a series of terpolymers (C14MC-MA-MCNR₂) derivated from tetradecyl methacrylate C14MC, maleic anhydride (MA), and methacrylamide (MCNR₂) were also prepared. These copolymers and terpolymers were purified, and their structures were characterized by IR, ¹HNMR, and GPC. Their low temperature fluidities and filterability, such as solid point depression (ΔSP) and cold filter plugging point depression (ΔCFPP), used as cold flow improvers in two diesel fuels were evaluated. The results indicate that: (1) The C14MC-MCNR₂ copolymers possess good solid point depressing performance. (2) The C14MC-MA-MCNR₂ terpolymers exhibit dual function both as wax dispersants and flow improvers simultaneously, and they all possess very excellent solid point depressing performance, and can attain optimum effectiveness of CFPP depression when NR₂ is morpholine.